Daniel Stern, the actor best known for his role as the Wet Bandit Marv in the 1990 holiday classic Home Alone, is facing legal trouble in Ventura County. On Monday, January 12, the 68 year old actor was officially charged with one misdemeanor count of soliciting prostitution. The charge follows an incident in December where Stern was reportedly cited by law enforcement at a local motel.
Citation at a Camarillo Motel
According to Joey Buttitta, a spokesperson for the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, Stern was contacted by deputies at a motel in Camarillo on December 10. Authorities state that Stern was cited at the location and released immediately after the encounter. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office subsequently submitted the citation to prosecutors for a formal review, which resulted in the criminal charge filed this week.
Stern had his arraignment scheduled for Tuesday, January 13, at the Ventura County Superior Court. While the actor has largely stepped away from the Hollywood limelight in recent years, this incident has brought him back into the headlines just a month after he gave an interview discussing his quiet life on a California ranch.
Life After Hollywood
For many years, Stern has lived a secluded life in Ventura County with his wife, where they operate a ranch tending to cattle and citrus trees. He recently made news for his work as a sculptor, revealing in December that he had been commissioned to create a self portrait replica of his character from Home Alone for the family that currently owns the famous movie house in Illinois.
During that interview, Stern joked about making himself look handsomer in his artwork than he is in real life. He noted that his early success in the film industry provided him with the financial freedom to pursue farming and art full time. Representatives for the actor have not yet released an official statement regarding the misdemeanor charge, and it remains to be seen how this legal hurdle will impact his standing in the local community.